Amish Brothers Are Revolutionizing Farming With DJI Drones

In the heart of Pennsylvania’s farm country, a new kind of revolution is taking place, and it’s buzzing just above the cornfields. As Farm Progress let us know, three young men from the Amish community, a group known for its deep respect for tradition, have embraced the future of agriculture by launching their own drone-spraying business.

The story of RiehlWay Ag, founded by amish brothers Matthew and Ephraim Riehl and their soon-to-be brother-in-law David Stoltzfus, is a beautiful and surprising fusion of old-world amish values and cutting-edge technology. They are proving that a drone is a powerful tool in any hands, whether they’re from Silicon Valley or the rolling hills of New Holland.

From Horse and Buggy to a DJI T50

RiehlWay Ag is a classic startup story, born from hard work and a smart idea. The team started last year, servicing about 3,000 acres. This season, their business has exploded to over 10,000 acres. They use their workhorse DJI T50 drone for a variety of tasks that are difficult or impossible for traditional, heavy farm equipment.

They can precisely apply herbicides, spray fungicides, and even interseed cover crops into standing corn. Their biggest advantage is being able to service wet, muddy parts of a field that a large tractor would get stuck in or, at the very least, severely compact the soil. The drone floats over these problem areas with ease, ensuring every part of the field is productive.

It’s a family affair, with each member playing a crucial role. Matthew and David are the pilots in the field, while Ephraim runs the business side of things, balancing the books and lining up the next job from his barn office.

The Grind is Real

This isn’t a push-button, easy-money business. As any professional drone operator knows, the work is a grind. The team has learned that breakdowns are just part of the job. “This will take a while,” Matthew said with a grin in a recent interview, as he was swapping out a faulty motor on his T50 right in the middle of a field.

He admits they’ve had a breakdown almost every month since May, which is why they now travel with a custom-built trailer packed with spare parts. “If we didn’t have parts, we’d be done,” he explained. This hands-on, problem-solving attitude is the hallmark of a true professional. The team is even planning to patent and sell their custom trailer design, turning their own hard-earned lessons into another business opportunity.

And then there are the regulations. To fly legally, Matthew spent two-and-a-half weeks studying for the FAA’s Part 107 exam, which was then followed by the even more demanding Part 137 certification for agricultural spraying. It was a long and difficult process, but it was a necessary one.

A New Generation of Farming

The story of RiehlWay Ag is about more than just one small business. It’s a snapshot of a massive shift happening in agriculture. Drones are democratizing precision farming, giving smaller, family-run operations access to the kind of technology that was previously reserved for massive corporate farms.

These drones save time, reduce soil compaction, cut down on the use of chemicals, and ultimately, help farmers be more profitable and more sustainable. It’s a win-win, and it’s a future that a new generation of smart, tech-savvy farmers like the Riehl brothers are building from the ground up.

DroneXL’s Take

This is the kind of story that makes me incredibly optimistic about the future of our industry. It cuts through all the hype about military drones and futuristic delivery networks and gets to the heart of what this technology is really all about: empowering people to do their work better.

“Real talk,” the grit and determination of these guys are just inspiring. Every single one of us who flies for a living knows the pain of a mid-job breakdown. The image of Matthew Riehl, screwdriver in hand, fixing his T50 in a cornfield is something that every professional pilot can relate to on a spiritual level. That is the job. It’s not always glamorous, but that problem-solving spirit is what separates the pros from the amateurs.

I also have a profound respect for their commitment to doing things the right way, leaded by their amish culture. Getting your Part 107 is hard enough; tackling the Part 137 certification for agricultural operations is a massive undertaking. It shows a deep respect for the rules and a commitment to operating safely and legally.

This story is a beautiful reminder that innovation doesn’t just come from tech hubs. It comes from anywhere there’s a problem to be solved and smart, hardworking people willing to solve it. The Riehl brothers are true pioneers, an example inside the amish, and they are building the future of American agriculture, one flight at a time.

Photo credit: Chris Torres / Farm Progress